Golden Pheasant upgrades to protect lake water

HUNTSVILLE – The Golden Pheasant waste-water treatment plant in Huntsville isn’t quite keeping up with environmental trends.
Tony White, commissioner of engineering and public works for the District of Muskoka, presented a staff report to a district committee on Dec. 5 recommending the appointment of engineer CH2M Hill Limited for improvements to the plant.
“We did not call a (request for proposals) for this project because the consultant chosen is the logical choice based on their knowledge and ability to provide what we’re looking for,” said White.
He explained that the company has done two other similar projects in Muskoka.
According to the report, the waste-water treatment plant is about 18 years old and needs to be upgraded to meet existing standards.
“The Golden Pheasant plant was completed in February 1995 and complies with the effluent discharge criteria as specified in the certificate of approval from that era,” states the report. “The effluent criteria are less stringent than those currently required by the Ministry of the Environment for newer facilities in Muskoka, which are imposed to protect drinking water sources, fisheries, and recreational uses.”
The plant, states the report, runs at two-thirds of its capacity, but also handles waste from other plants in Muskoka.
“The combined loading from all sources places a strain on the plant that affects the treatment processes,” states the report. “These adverse impacts may be addressed through improved alkalinity control with automated batching capabilities and miscellaneous upgrades to other equipment.”
A pilot project has already been done and shown that upgrades to the plant will improve the quality of its discharge water.
“This process trial achieved significant effluent quality improvements that would protect lake health, and would also provide additional drinking water source protection for Fairy Lake,” stated the report.
Those improvements should be sufficient until the next major plant upgrade, which is scheduled for 2021.
“The lack of adequate alkalinity control prevents the plant from operating to its full potential,” states the report. “Compliance with effluent criteria in the absence of alkalinity control significantly reduces the capacity to remove ammonia and total nitrogen, both of which have fishery and nutrient impacts.”
Improving alkalinity control can also increase the removal of pharmaceuticals and personal care projects from discharge water by up to 40 per cent.
The engineering company will be responsible for process and facilities design, regulatory approvals, contract document preparation, construction supervision, contract administration, commissioning, training, record documentation, and preparation of operation manuals, stated the report.
Engineering services are estimated at $100,000. Project completion is scheduled for next year and will be funded through the environmental reserve fund.